I recently watched the movie “Oceans 8”. Although I really enjoyed the movie, I couldn’t help but notice that while watching the movie, I was cheering for the thieves to win! If you have watched any of the “Oceans” movies, you will realize that is nothing new, since these movies are all about watching the “con-men” win. It is not just the “Oceans” movies that have us cheering for those on the wrong side of the law. In 2016, DC put out their movie “Suicide Squad”, where a group of convicted thieves and murderers are called together to become a cohort of true “Anti-Heroes” whose mission is to defeat impossible enemies and if they die in the process….so be it.The Rise of the Anti-Hero is not limited to just what we see in entertainment, we are seeing it in politics, in the media, seemingly everywhere we look. This really shouldn’t surprise us as this was prophesied thousands of years ago by Timothy. Timothy tells us in scripture that this is a sign of the Last Days. Specifically, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 states:“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power…”

​ Earlier this year, the new U.S. Congress was sworn into office. The major headline that January day was not about the legislative plans or the positive actions we would see from this Congress. The major headline was instead a foul-mouthed comment made by a freshman representative. Comments that not too long ago would have been considered treason. Instead these comments were celebrated and applauded by the mainstream media and this representative was lauded as a “hero” by the late-night talking heads. On January 22, 2019 we were told that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature signed into law the Reproductive Health Act. This new law expands the already existing abortion laws that were in place in New York. With this new act, “non-physicians” are now allowed to perform abortions. Furthermore, the law allows for abortions through the third trimester of pregnancy, up to and including the time of birth. Additionally, the new law removes protections for babies who survive an abortion procedure. Instead of an outcry against the murdering of innocent lives, this law was met with thunderous applause. In fact, the Governor of NY stated:

“Today we are taking a giant step forward in the hard-fought battle to ensure a woman's right to make her own decisions about her own personal health, including the ability to access an abortion." --Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

The Governor of New York was lauded as a “hero of woman’s rights” by some. Within days of this NY bill passing, we were told of a similar bill making it’s way through the Virginia legislature. A bill that is seemingly supported by the Governor of Virginia as well as the mainstream media.As a Christian living in 2019, it is easy to throw up our hands and shrink back in depression when seeing all of this, but I want to encourage you today to take heart – there is HOPE! None of this is a surprise to GOD, nor should it be a surprise to any of us. The rise of these “Anti-Hero’s” reminds us that we are in the last days as prophesied by Timothy. I believe that this is the time when it is most critical for Christians to stand up for what they believe. By standing up, we will set a standard reminding those that are seeking what is truly right. Standing firm for the gospel of Jesus Christ will become less and less popular in the days ahead, however it will be more and more important. You never know how many lives you will impact in these last days, by just standing for what is right according to scripture.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! -- Isaiah 5:20 (NASB)